Molestation charges will move forward

Molestation charges will move forward against David E. Wright, 42, of Crescent City, following the District Attorney’s Office’s presentation of evidence during his preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Del Norte Superior Court Judge Chris Doehle ruled enough evidence was presented in four of the five counts Wright was initially charged with.

Wright will be arraigned on Feb. 14 on suspicion of sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10, sexual penetration of a child under 14 with a special allegation of rape and two counts of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a special allegation of using force.

Two of the counts could carry a life sentence in prison if convicted. An additional charge of sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10 was not founded, Doehle ruled.

On Tuesday, Deputy District Attorney Annamarie Padilla called a witness to the stand who testified Wright had molested two girls, currently aged 10 and 9, several times over a three-year period beginning in 2010.

Last August, Wright was arrested in San Jose after fleeing Del Norte, authorities said.

Reach Anthony Skeens at
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